Article submitted by Carmen R. Austin, MBA, CCIM, Associate Broker for Saurage Rotenberg Commercial Real Estate

Written by Olivia Baeza Gellman, August 30, 2012 CCIM Newsletter

Despite declining economic conditions, sector provides long-term stability, according to CCIM and RERC data.

Despite the declining economy and investment environment, CCIM members report that investors continue to seek apartments, medical office buildings, land, and agricultural properties, according to CCIM Institute and Real Estate Research Corp.’s 3Q12 RERC/CCIM Investment Trends Quarterly. CCIMs also reported upticks in retail and office activity in isolated regions.

Despite a few bright spots, the overall commercial investment conditions rating, economic rating, and trasaction volume have declined at midyear, according to the report. The impending “fiscal cliff,” sputtering global economy, and declining consumer confidence are contributing to a weakening investment climate. “With easy money not so easy anymore, investors are rec¬ognizing that they need to lower their expectations once again,” said Kenneth P. Riggs Jr., CCIM, CRE, MAI, chief real estate economist for the CCIM Institute and chairman and president of Real Estate Research Corp. “As a result, most investments, including commercial real estate, are providing lower returns than in the recent past as risk increases.”

To read this article in its entirety click HERE.

To view this week’s Featured Property click HERE.

Carmen has been a practicing commercial real estate broker since 2001. She is a graduate of the Louisiana State University (LSU) E.J. Ourso College of Business and the LSU Flores Masters of Business Administration (MBA) Program with a specialization in Entrepreneurship and Real Estate Finance. Her experience includes past employment as Regional Director of Leasing at Commercial Properties Realty Trust the for-profit arm of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation. Carmen’s affiliations include Louisiana REALTORS®,Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS® Commercial Investment Division, International Council of Shopping Centers, Commercial Real Estate Women, Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute, National Association of REALTORS®, and Urban Land Institute. She is also an active volunteer on the board of directors for the Baton Rouge Gallery, LSU MBA Alumni Association, Junior Achievement of Baton Rouge, and the Junior League of Baton Rouge. Carmen is a graduate of the Jay W. Levine Leadership Development Academy Class of 2011 and most recently served as the 2010 President of the Louisiana CCIM Chapter.

Saurage Rotenberg Commercial Real Estate is a member of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce (BRAC); the West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce; the Baton Rouge Better Business Bureau; the Louisiana Commercial Data Base (LACDB); and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). Several agents, on an individual basis, are members of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors® (SIOR), the Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute (CCIM); the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR); and the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS® Commercial Investment Division (CID).